Argumentative Essay Rubric

Element 4 points (100%) 3.5 points (88%) 3 points (75%) 2.5 points (63%) 0

Introduction ● Original hook ● Hook is somewhat ● Hook restates the ● Hook does not Hook
Paragraph engages the reader’s interesting prompt; unoriginal engage the reader missing
curiosity ● Background info is ● Background info ● Background info is
● Background info is relevant; partially leaves reader with missing important Back-
relevant; clearly develops into thesis questions topics for clarity ground
develops into thesis ● Thesis/claim is ● Thesis/claim is ● Thesis/claim is info
● Thesis/claim is strong stated (3 parts) in missing 1 part or in missing 2 parts or is missing
(3 parts); clearly the correct location the incorrect confusing and in the
stated; correct location incorrect location Thesis
location missing

Organization ● Ideas are coherently ● Ideas are somewhat ● Ideas do not begin ● Ideas are Para-
& Transitions organized into organized into and end when they disorganized; topic graphing
separate body separate body should; topic sentences do not is not
paragraphs; topic paragraphs; topic sentences are control the used
sentences are sentences are incomplete or are in paragraph
complete complete incorrect locations ● Missing 2+ body Trans-
● Transitions are used ● Transitions are used ● Missing 1 body paragraph or itions are
correctly/sufficiently; correctly at the paragraph or conclusion not used
essay flows logically beginning of each conclusion transitions; rarely
body paragraph & transition; used within body
conclusion; occasionally used paragraphs; lacks
sometimes used within body flow
within body paragraphs
paragraphs

Conclusion ● Conclusion stays on ● Conclusion mostly ● Conclusion strays ● Conclusion Conclu-

Paragraph topic; provides stays on topic; from topic or excessively strays sion is
closure; (3 parts) somewhat provides missing 1 part from topic or missing
closure; (3 parts) missing 2 parts

Counterclaim ● C/C is effectively ● C/C is addressed in ● Attempt to address ● C/C merely restates CC/ is
& Rebuttal addressed in 3rd 3rd body paragraph; C/C is somewhat the opposition’s missing
body paragraph; correct location weak; incorrect thesis rather than a
correct location ● Rebuttal is location supporting reason; Rebuttal
● Strong rebuttal is supported by ● Rebuttal attempt is incorrect location is
supported by relevant evidence; weak or evidence ● Rebuttal does not missing
compelling evidence; opposes C/C does not support logically connect to
effectively refutes C/C rebuttal C/C or missing
evidence

Evidence & ● All evidence is ● Most evidence is ● Missing 1 piece of ● Missing 2+ pieces of Evi-
Elaboration relevant & clearly relevant and evidence or half are evidence or 3+ dence is
connects to the thesis connects to the irrelevant pieces of evidence missing
● All evidence is cited thesis ● Major citation issues are irrelevant
correctly; minimum # ● Some citation exist or missing a ● Evidence is cited Citations
sources present; mistakes exist; required source; incorrectly or some are
plagiarism is not minimum # sources plagiarism is not plagiarism is present missing;
present present; plagiarism is present ● Explanation & ample
● All explanation & not present ● Explanation & elaboration plagair-
elaboration sentences ● Most explanation & elaboration sentences are ism
clarify and extend elaboration sentences clarify but insufficient; context
ideas; context is sentences clarify and do not extend ideas; is rarely or not E/E
present extend ideas; context is present missing
context is mostly sometimes present or mostly
present missing
Tone, Word ● Tone is formal; no ● Tone is mostly ● Tone is somewhat ● Lacks formality; 4+ Tone is
Choice, & personal pronouns; formal; 1 use of formal; 2-3 uses of uses of personal informal;
Conventions no slang personal pronoun; 1 personal pronouns; pronouns; 4+ uses per. pn
● Strong words use of slang 2-3 uses of slang of slang used
appropriate to stance ● Word choice is ● Word choice is ● Word choice is basic through-
are used; no mostly appropriate to somewhat and unrelated to out
repetition of major stance; few appropriate to stance; several
words; uses different repetitions of major stance; some repetitions of major Word
text-talkers words or text-talkers repetitions of major words or text-talkers choice is
● Punctuation, ● Punctuation, words or text-talkers ● Punctuation, very re-
capitalization, capitalization, ● Punctuation, capitalization, petitive;
spelling, and usage spelling, and usage capitalization, spelling, and usage missing
are correct; no or few are mostly correct; spelling, and usage are frequently text-talke
errors some errors are sometimes incorrect; frequent rs
correct; several errors
errors Lack of
correct
CUPS
interfere
with
under-
standing

Comments: 14 elements x 4 points = 56 points

Prewriting = 4 points

Total = 60 points

Score:
______ / 60 points